Brake Job

[Superman]

Weeping under the booster necessitates replacement. I happen to have one. I will install a new MC. I might as well rebuild the calipers and blow out the lines. I am starting by removing the pads and putting paint stirring sticks between the pistons and rotors. I could easily feel, carefully depressing the pedal, the pistons pinching the sticks. Together (there are two of them in each location) they are 3/16" thick.





If you are not replacing the MC but only rebuilding calipers, just make sure you keep the brake fluid reservoir from running dry.

Using this method, I was able to confirm that all four pistons are moving nicely. I want to avoid the dreaded stuck piston problem. I intend to use only air pressure on the bench.

Then I used a turkey baster to remove excess brake fluid from the reservoir and now I am letting the system drain, starting with right rear. I bent the metal brake line getting it through the hole in the trailing arm, but it's reusable. Plus, I have spares. Drinking beer now. When it finishes draining, I will remove the rest of the calipers. As you can see, the pistons are extended.

[A930Rocket]

This would be a great post for the technical forum.

[manbridge 74]

*Smirk

[TimT]

This would be a great post for the technical forum

Ya think...?

[Superman]

Oops. Maybe some nice moderator will move it for me.

[Scott R]

Everything you’re doing is wrong.

[A930Rocket]

Sorry. Forgot to post it in green but I thought the smiley face was enough.

Originally Posted by TimT

Ya think...?

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by Scott R

Everything you’re doing is wrong.

Not everything. He is drinking beer.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Superman

Oops. Maybe some nice moderator will move it for me.

Move it to PARF!

[rusnak]

Those look like 911sc brakes. Why wouldn't you just brush off the brake dust from the calipers and leave them alone? I would save the MC as well unless the old one is bad, and just flush the fluid.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by red-beard

Move it to PARF!

Bush hates 911 brakes...

[GH85Carrera]

I rebuilt my Carrera calipers long ago, and was happy with the results, except they were still kinda beat up, and all the plating had worn off. I broke down and sent them in to be rebuilt by the pros in Utah. Now they look and perform like new. Even after three years of use. For the work involved to rebuild them myself, I wish I had just skipped that step, and let PMB do it the first time.

[KFC911]

I removed my excellent Carrera brakes (calipers, rotors, M/C) @ less than 50k miles. Purchased 930 stuff from Steve Weiner....then blinged it .

Ain't nobody puttin' it all back on my car I reckon....should I sell the original parts now?

[speeder]

Why would you rebuild calipers that are not leaking or sticking?

I consider myself pretty diligent about maintenance, especially w brakes but I always keep the fluid clean and would not mess w calipers that are fine. You might make them worse, depending on the parts you use and the protocols followed while rebuilding them.

I recently had to rebuild the rear calipers on my F-250 truck but it was because each one had at least one stuck or sticky piston discovered during a brake job. Not the end of the world but you need to really clean things well, (I have a professional/shop parts washer), and carefully assemble using hopefully dealer seals.

Draining and refilling brake fluid is easy, not sure why opening only one line at a time. Just open some bleeders or remove calipers if rebuilding or changing hoses and let it drain. Push the brake pedal down once or twice if you want to help it. When you refill the MC and bleed, any old fluid will quickly be forced out by the new fluid you are pushing through and of course you can see the visual difference while bleeding if you use clear tubing, which you should be using. It's available in different diameters at any hardware store in the land.

What is the paint stick method of testing pistons? You push the pedal and look at indentations on the soft wood? The pistons would be very extended at that point, you need to compress them w a hand tool, (NOT a c-clamp), and feel that they do not stick all the way in and out and that each piston feels the same as the others wrt friction/resistence going in and out. If they are all good and not leaking and dust seals look ok, leave them alone and change fluid only, IMO.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by KC911

I removed my excellent Carrera brakes (calipers, rotors, M/C) @ less than 50k miles. Purchased 930 stuff from Steve Weiner....then blinged it .

Ain't nobody puttin' it all back on my car I reckon....should I sell the original parts now?

Might as well. Factory 930 brakes are a very desirable upgrade on lesser Porsches and if someone wanted to go back to stock for some kooky reason, stock parts are widely available.